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45
Fitness of Houses.
The general standard is lower than in 1914. The defects are
largely due to "wear and tear" and the failure to carry out the
ordinary repairs during the period 1914-1919. The older houses
and those of the "field ranging" type suffered most as they are
owned largely by the small men who prior to 1909 bought this class
of property, and now find that owing to increased cost of repairs
they are financially unable to do justice to their tenants or maintain
their property adequately.
Decorative repairs are most difficult to get effected, and the
necessary painting neglected. The houses under management are
probably better than those directly supervised by the class of owner
referred to.
The number of Statutory Notices served—99 compared with 27
in 1913—shows the difficulty experienced in maintaining anything
like a proper housing standard. Owing to failure of landlords the
Council carried out repairs under Section 3, Housing Act, 1925, to
the extent of £265 on 15 houses.
Unlimited action in this respect by the Council is seriously checked
by the fact that the Governing Body, like the landlord, has but a
limited purse.
Years must elapse before the Council can recover the money
already expended and naturally many members of the Council
hesitate to incur further liability in this way.

The number of house-to-house inspections made is influenced by
the number of complaints received, although this was not entirely
so in 1923, when an endeavour was made to deal with certain areas
in the District. The result of this is shewn in the reduction of
complaints in 1924 and 1925.